Cynthia has been a vocal figure in the gay community in recent years, after she revealed her same-sex relationship with Christine Marinoni (Nixon was previously in a long-term relationship with Danny Mozes). In a recent interview with The New York Times, she discussed the controversy over her mid-life change in sexuality, saying:

"I gave a speech recently, an empowerment speech to a gay audience, and it included the line ‘I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay, and gay is better.’ And they tried to get me to change it, because they said it implies that homosexuality can be a choice. And for me, it is a choice. I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me.”

I’m fascinated by this statement and I've been mulling it over for days since reading the article. I’ve always been a pretty firm believer in sexuality as something you’re born with. I certainly don’t feel like I ever made a conscious decision to be straight, and it seems like the informal consensus among my gay and lesbian friends that their sexuality is inherent.

That said, I can understand what she had to say about not letting others define her sexuality. Further defending her position, she said:

"Why can’t it be a choice? Why is that any less legitimate? It seems we’re just ceding this point to bigots who are demanding it, and I don’t think that they should define the terms of the debate. I also feel like people think I was walking around in a cloud and didn’t realize I was gay, which I find really offensive. I find it offensive to me, but I also find it offensive to all the men I’ve been out with.”

I think she made a really interesting point here, and whether or not someone chooses her sexuality, I still believe she should be free to love and marry whichever person she chooses. On the other hand, I see the side of the argument she referenced--that the implication that homosexuality is a choice may be used to limit gay rights--and as a big supporter of the gay rights movement, I personally wouldn't want that.